The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Ducks, Grebes and Coots - The Red-breasted Merganser

First seen on Friday 13th November 2020 at Druridge Pools

The Merganser is a fish eating diving duck, normally found on the coast. I often see them in Druridge Bay, but they are always quite far out at sea. The male and female are quite different. The females are grey, with a red-brown head. The male is grey and brown with a deep green head and white collar. They both have spiky hair, red bills and red legs and feet, so are quite distinctive. Their bills have serrated edges like teeth, which is why these and similar birds are known as sawbills.


 




 

Birds in flight aren't always easy to identify, but if you get a clear view of the Merganser (as in the photo below) you can see a very distinctive white patch on each wing, with two black lines - this is quite unique to the Merganser.